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The event was organized by the Towson University Student Government Association and another student group, Be The Change, in response to an off-campus group known as the White Student Union, which recently started night patrols around campus.

"We have a black, Asian and Hispanic student union, and we have Jewish groups on campus," said Matt Heimbach, the senior who founded the White Student Union and organized the patrols. "So, the idea of the White Student Union is to be able to celebrate European-American culture but to advocate for the best political interests of the white student body."

Heimbach said he is not racist but that he could not ignore black-on-white crimes on campus. He said his group will operate in the same way other minority groups do, but other students disagreed with the principle of it.

"I see different ages, different backgrounds, different sizes, different genders, but everyone is here with the same mentality and the same ideology: to propel the idea of peace," said Steven Middleton, a Towson student.

The university said the White Student Union is protected by First Amendment rights, but President Marayane Loeschke appeared at the rally to show where she stands.

"A whole lot is going to be better because you're here today. Thank you all for being a part of a positive change," she said.

"This is Towson's position. This is what the campus believes in -- what we've talked about in classes. This is why we're at college -- to enlighten ourselves, grow and learn. That's what it's all about," said student Matthew Baldassano.

Those at the rally said they hope their message will overshadow the White Student Union. Heimbach said he's not surprised by the pushback.

"Anything that doesn't fall in the far-left agenda is labeled as either a hate group or extreme," he said.

While extra security was on hand for the event, it proceeded peacefully. University officials said violent crime is down on the campus.